Pakistan captain Babar Azam has paid tribute to Fakhar Zaman after he scored a stunning century in his team’s ODI defeat to South Africa on Sunday.

Chasing 342 at the Imperial Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, Fakhar smashed 193 from 155 balls, including 18 fours and ten sixes.

Despite no other Pakistan player surpassing 31, Zaman almost took his side to an incredible victory before being run out in the penultimate over.

Pakistan eventually finished 17 runs short – with South Africa levelling the three-match ODI series at 1-1 – but Babar described Fakhar’s innings as ‘one of the best he has ever seen’.

‘The innings from Fakhar Zaman is one the best innings I have seen in my life,’ Babar said. ‘It was an outstanding innings and he deserves a lot of credit.’

More to follow…